Kanda Guide

Kanda is a district northeast of the Imperial Palace. You won’t see many touristy things around here, as it’s known as an academic area with many schools and universities. But that just means it’s full of hidden gems you probably don’t know about but should definitely visit.

Where to eat and drink in Kanda

Kanda is also full of residential areas, and there are plenty of dining options that serve these locals. You can find great cafes (we like Cafe Veloce and Media Cafe Popeye), or filling eats like Ootoya. And for a night of drinking, you can’t go wrong with TAPxTAP.

What to do in Kanda

Visit Kanda Myojin Shrine, especially in May during the Kanda Festival, one of Tokyo’s three greatest Shinto festivals. Yushima Seido and Yushima Tenjin Shrine are two other visit-worthy shrines that remind you of the area’s reputation for learning. The former honors the Chinese scholar Confucius, while the latter is dedicated to the deity of scholarship, Sugawara Michizane.

Nikolai-do (Saint Nicolai Church) looks out of place in the middle of Tokyo. The main cathedral of the Japanese Orthodox Church, it’s Russian-style design is at least worth walking past as you go about your sightseeing.

One thing the Kanda area is famous for is used/old books. There are tons of used book stores you can browse through, and a big festival in the fall that is a true bookworm’s heaven.

Where to stay in Kanda

Kanda Station and Ochanomizu Station are the area’s main stations, and they can take you just about anywhere in Tokyo. That makes this district ideal for staying during your trip. We like Capsule Value Kanda Hotel.

And if you plan to stay in Tokyo for the long run, we think Kanda is one of the best areas you could live in. Read this article for more on why we think it’s THE place to find a place you can call home.